Merrill Yardley Obituary

Merrill W. Yardley 1924 ~ 2004  Merrill W. Yardley, 79, passed away Saturday, May 22, 2004 surrounded by his loving family in Beaver, Utah.  He was born October 1, 1924 in Beaver, Utah to Waldo Yardley and Evelyn Viola Stewart. He married his sweetheart Leola Willden August 23, 1958 in Scipio, Utah. They were later sealed in the St. George Temple May 8, 1964. Merrill was born and raised in Beaver, he spent his childhood working with the cattle and on the farm putting up hay. He loved rodeos, horse racing and many times he would sneak away from work to ride in the rodeos where he got his nickname, "Jazzbo", after riding a bull that had not been ridden. Merrill was one of the last of the old cowboys. He loved to be out on the range checking his cattle and being at the ranch in the family cabin so he could be close to his boys and the farm. His pride and joy are his 14 grandchildren and three great-grand-children. He was always there to support them in their many activities including sports, band, horses and steers. He was their super grandpa.  Merrill was proud to serve in World War II in the 42nd battalion. He was the President of the Legion and part of the Color Guard. He was also the President of the North Divide Cattleman Company. This is where his skill as a cattleman came out – sorting and pairing up cattle and knowing the brands. Merrill was a man of his word. He always said you were only as good as your word. Many of his friends rode the ranch with him and held many memories. He loved to go home teaching to the families he was called to teach and would visit with them for hours. Our dad always said you only need three things in life: a good horse, a good dog and a good wife at home. Now, he did have some good horses and some good dogs but he always had a good wife. It's been a year since his sweetheart passed away April 27, 2003 and now they are together forever.  Merrill is survived by his children LueAnn (Rodney) Carter of Minersville, Utah; Merrill Lee (Pete) (Wendy) Yardley of Beaver, Utah; Micki Lynn (Brad) Fuchs of North Las Vegas, Nevada; Lee R. Yardley of Beaver, Utah. Also surviving him are his sister Ila (William) Williamson of Paragonah, Utah; brother Duane (Maurine) Yardley of Milford, Utah and his 14 granchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Leola Willden Yardley his parents Vie and Waldo Yardley and three brothers Al, Don and Boyd Yardley.  Funeral services will be held Wednesday May 26, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. in the West LDS Chapel in Beaver. Friends may pay their respects Tuesday evening at the Southern Utah Mortuary in Beaver from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church prior to funeral services. Interment will be in the Mountain View Cemetery in Beaver under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to southernutahmortuary.com